Invasive Species Presence

AUS-TMI-CON-ISP General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: CompositeFramework

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard CompositeFramework Guard

Evidence & Context

Benchmark Value: Absence of Rattus rattus and Mus musculus.

Metric Definition:

Presence or absence of key transformative invasive vertebrate predators (Rattus rattus, Mus musculus) and super-colony forming ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes, Pheidole megacephala).

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the desired state of absence of key invasive species Rattus rattus and Mus musculus in the Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands biome under conservation land use, indicating high environmental health.

Justification:

Confidence is High due to the project's rigorous, independently verified monitoring and the rapid, quantified ecological recovery observed post-eradication, which validates this state as one of high environmental health.

Sources (5)

Preview of Australia's Lord Howe Island declared free of introduced rats and mice following a successful eradication operation
Australia's Lord Howe Island declared free of introduced rats and mice following a successful eradication operation GreyLiterature

Australia's Lord Howe Island declared free of introduced rats and mice following a successful eradication operation, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe biosecurity investment locks in rodent-free recovery - Invasive Species Council
Lord Howe biosecurity investment locks in rodent-free recovery - Invasive Species Council GreyLiterature

Lord Howe biosecurity investment locks in rodent-free recovery - Invasive Species Council, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island – protecting paradise - Invasive Species Council
Lord Howe Island – protecting paradise - Invasive Species Council GreyLiterature

Lord Howe Island – protecting paradise - Invasive Species Council, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project
Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project GreyLiterature

Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication: Social and Technical Lessons for Inhabited Islands - DigitalCommons@USU, accessed August 3, 2025,
The Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication: Social and Technical Lessons for Inhabited Islands - DigitalCommons@USU, accessed August 3, 2025,

Torres Strait Island Biosecurity Action Plans, accessed July 28, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (23)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,
A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The impacts of invasive plant species on biodiversity of Australian rangelands

View Source
Preview of Ant species accumulation on Lord Howe Island highlights the increasing need for effective biosecurity on islands - NeoBiota, accessed August 2, 2025,
Ant species accumulation on Lord Howe Island highlights the increasing need for effective biosecurity on islands - NeoBiota, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Ant species accumulation on Lord Howe Island highlights the increasing need for effective biosecurity on islands - NeoBiota, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Biosecurity Strategy - December 2022 | Lord Howe Island Board, accessed August 2, 2025,
Biosecurity Strategy - December 2022 | Lord Howe Island Board, accessed August 2, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Government

Biosecurity Strategy - December 2022 | Lord Howe Island Board, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Christmas Island Marine Park Management Plan - 2025 - Australian ..., accessed August 2, 2025,
Christmas Island Marine Park Management Plan - 2025 - Australian ..., accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Christmas Island Marine Park Management Plan - 2025 - Australian ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Christmas Island Yellow Crazy Ant Control Program - DCCEEW, accessed July 30, 2025,
Christmas Island Yellow Crazy Ant Control Program - DCCEEW, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Christmas Island Yellow Crazy Ant Control Program - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of Conservation | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia, accessed August 3, 2025,
Conservation | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Conservation | Norfolk Island National Park | Parks Australia, accessed August 3, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Draft Christmas Island Biodiversity Conservation Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Draft Christmas Island Biodiversity Conservation Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Government

Draft Christmas Island Biodiversity Conservation Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Forests of East Australia - Threats | CEPF, accessed August 2, 2025,
Forests of East Australia - Threats | CEPF, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Forests of East Australia - Threats | CEPF, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Government funding to increase biosecurity measures - Lord Howe Island Museum, accessed August 2, 2025,
Government funding to increase biosecurity measures - Lord Howe Island Museum, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Government funding to increase biosecurity measures - Lord Howe Island Museum, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Introduced and Invasive Species - Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society, accessed August 2, 2025,
Introduced and Invasive Species - Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Introduced and Invasive Species - Norfolk Island Flora & Fauna Society, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Invasive Species 2021 | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 2, 2025,
Invasive Species 2021 | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Invasive Species 2021 | NSW State of the Environment, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Invasive species in Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 6, 2025,
Invasive species in Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 6, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Invasive species in Australia - Wikipedia, accessed July 7, 2025

View Source
Preview of Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases ..., accessed May 20, 2025,
Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases ..., accessed May 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) - Australian Association of Bush Regenerators

View Source
Preview of Island conservation - Invasive Species Council, accessed August 2, 2025,
Island conservation - Invasive Species Council, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Island conservation - Invasive Species Council, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island claims national award for being 'on the cusp' of record rat eradication, accessed August 2, 2025,
Lord Howe Island claims national award for being 'on the cusp' of record rat eradication, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Lord Howe Island claims national award for being 'on the cusp' of record rat eradication, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Phasmid - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Lord Howe Island Phasmid - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Lord Howe Island Phasmid - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Operation - Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, accessed August 2, 2025,
Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Operation - Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Operation - Aotea Great Barrier Environmental Trust, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Norfolk Island - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Norfolk Island - DCCEEW, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Pest and Disease Survey 2021 to 2023 – invasive marine species survey results - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Norfolk Island Pest and Disease Survey 2021 to 2023 – invasive marine species survey results - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Norfolk Island Pest and Disease Survey 2021 to 2023 – invasive marine species survey results - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Regional Council Pest Management Plan (NIRCPMP ..., accessed August 2, 2025,
Norfolk Island Regional Council Pest Management Plan (NIRCPMP ..., accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Norfolk Island Regional Council Pest Management Plan (NIRCPMP ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Weed Eradication Program | Lord Howe Island Board - NSW Government, accessed August 2, 2025,
Weed Eradication Program | Lord Howe Island Board - NSW Government, accessed August 2, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Government

Weed Eradication Program | Lord Howe Island Board - NSW Government, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of What does it take to protect paradise? Ask Australia's Lord Howe Island - Adventure.com, accessed August 2, 2025,
What does it take to protect paradise? Ask Australia's Lord Howe Island - Adventure.com, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What does it take to protect paradise? Ask Australia's Lord Howe Island - Adventure.com, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source
Preview of www.dcceew.gov.au, accessed August 2, 2025,
www.dcceew.gov.au, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

www.dcceew.gov.au, accessed August 2, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 15 Mar 2026

Notes

The functional range for these key species is binary: the Upper Detrimental Threshold is any confirmed breeding population, as even a small number represents a critical threat requiring a full-scale response. The Lower Critical Threshold is the biological event of establishment (e.g., a single pregnant female), which moves the system from a containable incursion to a state of active degradation. The Optimal Range is a state of 'Vigilant Zero'—sustained absence maintained by a permanent, well-resourced biosecurity and surveillance system. Achieving this benchmark may reveal a secondary 'invasion debt' (e.g., an increase in weeds), requiring ongoing adaptive management of less transformative invasive species.